Reports: Google plans to open first freestanding store

By Katherine Boccaccio

Dublin, Ireland -- Multiple reports on Thursday said that search giant Google plans to open its first stand-alone retail store, at its European headquarters in Dublin, Ireland.

The company last year in London tested a 285-sq.-ft. in-store shop where consumers could try out and buy Chromebooks and a few accessories. Located in a computer store, the in-store shop was open for approximately three months.

According to the reports, the Google store would be open to the public and would sell various Google merchandise.

Google has not yet confirmed the reports that it will open the Dublin.

“While we do have the option to open retail space, we are examining all potential uses,” Google said in an e-mailed statement, released by Bloomberg. “No final decision has been taken.”